ARGENTINA’s first game without Lionel Messi ended in a chastening defeat in front of deserted stands.

Manager signed a contract extension through 2030 after over the summer.

🚨 A MAJOR EMBARRASSMENT FOR THE AFA.

Argentina vs. Uruguay at La Bombonera, yet only a fraction of the expected crowd showed up. EXPENSIVE ticket prices have clearly taken their toll, and without Messi, the lack of spectators was impossible to ignore. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/exyS8gBPRA

— The Final Whistle (@Rufus_45) November 13, 2026
Argentina v Uruguay - International Friendly
Expensive tickets and Messi’s retirement were blamed for the lack of interest Source: Getty

Unfortunately, the scale of the challenge facing him sincebecame immediately apparent as triumphed at the iconic in Buenos Aires.

Local reports estimated that only 5,000 of the near-60,000 seats were filled and the on-field performance wasn’t much better.

One journalist noted: “How many people must be at La Bombonera? 5,000? It must be the national team’s worst turnout in many, many years. The Messi era is over…”

Leonardo Balerdi’s own-goal put the visitors ahead after 48 minutes and Maxi Araújo doubled the lead shortly after.

Julian Alvarez pulled one back, but could not find an equaliser.

Scaloni, who did not hand out a No.10 jersey, said: “We have to rebuild without Leo Messi, and we have the talent to bounce back from this loss.

“The match was good, beyond the final result; we performed well in the second half.

“It gives me things to analyse.

Argentina v Uruguay - International Friendly
Argentina need to replace one of the greatest footballers of all time Source: Getty
FBL-FRIENDLY-ARG-URU
Emi Martinez was in high spirits before the game Source: AFP
Soccer international friendly - Argentina vs Uruguay
The fans who made it tried to put on a show Source: EPA

“We knew it would be difficult, and now we have to keep working.”

Goalscorer Alvarez will be one of the stars required to fill Messi’s boots and saw some positives.

He said: “It was an important match, and we wanted to win it.

“Beyond the result, we did some good things. There is always room for improvement.

“We executed a bit of what the coach wants. We have another match coming up.

“It’s a new era, with a lot of young guys. We have to keep working to carry on the legacy left by the others.”

Scaloni has not decided who he wants to occupy the iconic No.10 jersey and despite having plenty of the ball, and Thiago Almada both struggled to make decisive contributions in the final third that 39-year-old used to provide.

Argentina face in Córdoba on Tuesday.